Lifting jack



y 1953 M. B. LUCKER 2,637,523

LIFTING JACK Filed Sept. 14, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l y 1953 M. B. LUCKER 2,637,523

LIFTING JACK Filed Sept. 14, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

May 5, 1953' M. B. LUCKER 2,637,523

LIFTING JACK Filed Sept. 14, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet s I N VEN TOR.

Patented May 5, 1953 LIFTING JACK Millard B. Lucker, St. Joseph, Mich., assignor to Auto Specialties Manufacturing 00., St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application September 14, 1950, Serial No. 184,779

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to lifting jacks and more particularly to bumper jacks for use with automobiles, trucks, and similar vehicles.

This application is a continuation in part of an application entitled Automobile Jack," Serial Number 63,367, filed December 3, 1948.

Lifting jacks of the type set forth in this application have particular utility for use with automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles of the same general class for lifting the vehicle for repair and service purposes such as for changing tires. A convenient point at which to attach the load lifting member of the jack to the vehicl is the bumper and the jack of the present application is particularly adapted for such use. Jacks'intended for this purpose must be capable of engaging the W set bumpers used today and must be capable of lifting the engaged end of the vehicle a substantial height in order to permit re moval and application of the low pressure type of tires used today. In addition, the jack must be easily and conveniently operated without causing injury to the clothing or person of the operator. Another important characteristic of jacks for use in the application contemplated is that the jack would be capable of being folded into a compact package for storage in trunks and other compartments of relatively small area.

When lifting one end of an automobile, using a jack such as the type of the present application, the engaged bumper is in effect rotated about the opposed set of Wheels whereby to produce problems in engagement between the load rest of the jack and the bumper. More specifically, it is desirable to have two-point contact at all times between the load rest and the bumper regardless of the position of the vehicle vertically. In many forms of load rests used heretofore, proper twopoint contact was obtained when the bumper was in the lowered position, but due to the rotation described above, the bumper would move out of engagement with the load rest whereby to produce a relatively unstable one-point contact between the bumper and the load rest.

In connection with the foregoing special problems are encountered when it is desired to lift one end of a vehicle when the vehicle is positioned on an inclined surface. In all types of jacks and particularly in those types in which the load lifting member normally moves in a direction upwardly and away from the vehicle, it is desirable to raise the automobile with the brakes thereof released so that the automobil can roll toward the-'jack and follow the load lifting member as it moves up and away from the original position 2 on the automobile. It is apparent that'if the vehicle is positioned on an inclined surface, it will be necessary to lock the brake before lifting the desired end of the vehicle in order to insure that the vehicle will not get out of control. With the brakes locked, the bumper engaged by the jack rotates about an axis adjacent the opposite set of locked wheels in a direction upwardly and away from the jack. Since th load lifting member is itself moving upwardly and away from the original position of the car, it is apparent that either the car or the jack must move if contact is to be maintained between th bumper and the load rest. It has ben found that as lifting progresses the jack of necessity must tilt forwardly unless it slips upon the supporting surface. Again for safety purposes, it is desirable that the jack not slip with respect to the support surfac and, accordingly, the jack must tilt forwardly. With various load rests used heretofore, the load rest and bumper were not maintained in two-point contact under these conditions and accordingly a relatively unstable and dangerous condition results.

It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide an improved lifting jack of the type set forth; more specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved jack which is more satisfactory and simple in operation and which can b easily folded into a compact form for storage.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a lifting jack of the type described, an improved handle structure which facilitates operation of the jack and which can be folded when the jack is not in use to a position which facilitates storage.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in a jack of the type set forth an improved load rest; more specifically, it is an object to provide a load rest for bumper jacks which positively firmly grips and supports bumpers.

Still another object of th invention is to provide an improved load rest in jacks of the type described, the load rest maintaining two-point contact with the associated bumper at all positions during the lifting and lowering of the bumper.

A further object of the invention is to provide in multi-legged jacks includin a threaded rod an improved mounting for the legs and the threaded rod.

A still further object of the invention is to pro vide in the jacks of the type in which the load lifting member usually travels upwardly and away from the associated vehicle, an improved load 3 rest and leg construction which permits the jack to be used with Safety and case on an automobile parked on inclined surfaces.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved manner of attaching a supporting foot to a jack structure and an improved manner of mounting the threaded rod in the jack,

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be better understood when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings wherein like reference numerals have been used to indicate like parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lifting jack made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side View of the jack shown in Figure 1, a portion of the load lifting mechanism being hown in cross section to better illustrate the structure thereof, the folded posi- Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the handle in the inoperative or storage posi-- tion;

Figure 6 is a partial view in horizontal section of the lower end of the jack shown in Figure 2 substantially as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 6-6 thereof;

*Figure "Tis a further enlarged View in vertical section of the upper end of the jack shown in Figure 2, the load r'e'st'being shown in an upper position;

"Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken in the directionof thearrows along the line 8-8 of Figurel;

Figure 9 is another horizontal section taken in :the direction of the arrows along the line 8-4 :of Figure '7 and illustrating the mounting and structure of the load rest;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the motion of the load rest and the jack when lifting the bumper of a vehicle on which the brakes are locked;

Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective view of themember which engages the threaded'rod and on which is mounted the load rest;

Figure 1-2 is a perspective view of another jack embodying the principles of the present invention, a three legged jack having been shown for purposes of illustration;

. Figure 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the foot structure for a modified form of jack structure;

Figure'li is a further enlarged view in vertical section as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 14-44 of Figure 13, a load lifting member being shown in operative position-on the screw Figure 15 is a further enlarged View in horizontal section of the structure shown in Figure 13 as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line l5-|5; and

Figure 16 is a cross sectional view showingthe engagement between the loadlifting member and the strut member, the view being taken in the direction of'thearrows along the line lit-I6 'of Figure '14.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a twolegged bumper jack, generally designated by the numeral 29, which has incorporated therein the principles of the present invention. This type of jack is particularly adapted for use with automobiles, trucks, and similar vehicles by engaging a bumper thereof, but it is to be understood that the jack can be used in other applications. Jack 2H includes an inclined front strut member 22, an inclined supporting leg 24, a load rest 26 and operator, generally designated by the numeral 28.

Strut member 21! is channel-shaped, and more specifically has a U-shaped cross section as illustrated in Figure 6, including a pair of longitudinally extending sides 30 and 32 which are joined by a curved bight portion 34. The leg 24 is substantially circular in cross section and is pivotally attached to strut member 22 by means of a bracket 3'6 which will be described in detail hereinafter, a pin 38 pivotally attaching leg '24 to bracket 35. In operative position the strut member 22 and leg24 are inclined toward each other, or stated in another way, diverge from the pivot point at pin 38. A brace, generally desi'g nated by the numeral 40, is adapted to hold the strut member 22 and leg 24 in spread or spaced apart operative relationship. Brace '40 includes a pair of straps 42 and 44 piv'otally connected-at one end to strut member 22 by means of apin t6 and are joined by a bight portion-48 at the other end thereof. Bight portion 48 is narrower than strips 42 and '44 whereby to provide s, shoulder 50 adapted to engage an outwardly-extending pin 52 attached to leg 24. When shoulder 5|] engages the pin '52 on'leg 24, the leg M ami the strut member 22'will be locked in the spread or operative position.

To give horizontal stability to the jack structure, the strut member 22 is vprovided with-a foot 54, and leg 24 is provided with a 'foot 56. Foot 54 is preferably formed of sheet metal and is attached to the strut-member 22 as by Welding at points 58. Ihe supporting surface contacts foot 54 on abase portion 60 whose-width at the center is slightly greater than the depth of strut member 22. The width of base portion 'at'the ends thereof is wider than at the center whereby to provide a broader base of support at base 60. Reinforcement is provided for base 60 in the form of a fiangeBZ formed integral therewith and aligned on the edge of bight portion 34 of strut 22. A second flange 64 is formed integral onthe forwardly directed edge of base portion GO and abuts against the edges of sides 3032 of strut. It will be noted that the length of base-portion Gil is substantially perpendicular to the plane-defined by strut 22 and leg 24 whereby to. give-"stability in directions perpendicular to this plane.

Foot member 56 on leg 24 'is substantially channel-shaped and includes a base fifi'having -o, pair of upstanding flanges 68 and-informed integral therewith. T he width of base 66 is such as to accommodate leg 24 between flanges-Giraud i0, flanges 68 and It being preferably connected to-leg-24 by means of welding as at 12. The length of base 66 also disposed substantially perpendicularly to the planedefinedby strut'22 and leg 24 whereby to givelateral-stability of the jack duringuse.

Referring now to Figured, the' structure and function-of bracket 36 will be-described. Bracket 36 includes at one end thereof a "substantially cylindrical hollow bearing portion '14 includifigm flange I6 disposed radially and inwardly therefrom. Formed integral with the bearing portion "I4 is a substantially U-shaped portion It which extends a short distance along the upper end of strut 22. A laterally and rearwardly extending support portion 86 is attached to the lower end of portion It and its portion 89 which receives the pin 38 which effects the pivotal connection between bracket 36 and leg 24. A rivet 82 extends through the portion it in the upper end of strut 22 to fasten these two members together. Additional support is provided for the upper end of strut 22 in the form of a downwardly extending flange 84 which is attached to bearing portion I4.

Received in the channel of strut member 22 and rotatably mounted therein is a threaded rod 86. The upper end of rod 86 carries a sleeve 88 which is attached thereto in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter. A support for the upper end of rod 86 is provided in the form of a bearing including a pair of raceways 96 and 92 which have disposed therebetween a plurality of ball bearings. Sleeve 86 bears against raceway 92 and raceway til is received in bearing portion I4 and is supported on flange It. An aperture in the center of flange I6 receives the depending rod 66. This mounting for the upper end of rod 65 permits free rotation of rod 66 within strut member 22 and also provides for support longitudinally of rod I36.

The lower end of rod 86 is held in position by a bracket 96 which includes a circular portion having a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of 26 and a pair of attaching flanges 98 which are suitably joined to the flange 64 of foot 54 in any suitable manner such as by welding. Bracket 96 confines the lower end of rod 86 but does permit limited lateral movement of the rod 36 within strut 22.

Rod 86 is preferably threaded throughout substantially its entire length whereby to give movement to the load rest 26 to a position immediately above foot 54 to a position contacting the flange 84 of bracket 36. The diameter of rod 86 is relatively small as can be best seen in Figure 6, but due to the improved mounting thereof, this size rod is capable of lifting and holding relatively large weights in the order of several thousand pounds.

Means is provided for manually rotating rod 86 in the form of the operator 28. Operator 28 is attached to rod 85 by means of an attachment portion It!) which extends through aligned apertures in the upper end of rod 86 and sleeve 88. One end of portion IIlIl has an aperture therethrough which receives a cotter pin I02 that serves to hold the attachment portion H16 in assembled relationship with rod 36. Preferably a washer I64 is disposed between cotter pin I62 and the adjacent edge of sleeve 88.

The other end of attachment portion I06 has a U-shaped bend I06 attached thereto which terminates in an abutment portion IIiIl extending substantially parallel or at an acute angle to the axis of attachment portion I06. The other end of abutment portion MS has attached thereto an arm III] which extends substantially perpendicularly to attachment portion I88 and in a direction substantially parallel to the supporting surface in the position shown in Figure 2. An angle of substantially 45 is formed between arm I I0 and the plane containing attachment portion I00 and abutment portion I68.

The outer end of arm H0 has attached thereto a crank H2 which is turned upwardly and'disposed at substantially a 60 angle with respect to arm III). A handle, generally designated by the numera1 H4, is rotatably and captively attached to crank H2. Handle H4 includes a sleeve H6 having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of crank H2 and a cap member I I8 which fits over the free end of sleeve I I6. Referring to Figure 3, it will be seen that the end of crank H2 is peened over or widened as at I20 whereby to prevent removal of sleeve H6 from crank I I2. Cap I I8 also limits the distance which sleeve H6 can drop along crank I I2. Cap H6 is preferably press fitted on sleeve H6 but it is to be understood that other forms and manner of attachment can be used if desired.

Handle H4 is disposed upwardly at substantially waist height when the jack is in operative position and thereby facilitates actuation by the user. By referring to Figures 2 and 4, it will be seen that the abutment portion I08 bears against sleeve 88 attached to the upper end of rod 86 and that no portion of the operator mechanism contacts the stationary portions of the jack. More specifically, the abutment portion I08 contacts only sleeve 86 which rotates with abutment portion I08 at all times. Accordingly, there is no friction encountered between the operator structure and the stationary parts of the jack. The handle H4 is freely rotatable upon crank H2 and provides for smooth and easy turning of the operator.

Another important aspect of the structure of operator 26 is shown in Figure 2 in dot and dash lines. When arm H0 is rotated about attachment portion I00, the rod 86 being held substantially stationary, the operator assumes the position shown in dot and dash lines in Figure 2. It will be noted that the arm I I0 lies snugly against bracket 36 whereby to leave no outwardly protruding parts when the jack is in the folded position. This ready foldability is accomplished without sacrificing the needed length of arm I II which gives the necessary leverage for operating the threaded rod 86.

Load rest 26 is pivoted upon and carried by a carrier member, generally designated by the numeral I22, see Figure 11. Carrier member I22 includes a plate I24 on one side of which are attached two outwardly extending bosses I26 and I28. Bosses I26 and I28 are spaced apart and are threaded to receive the threaded rod 86. The threads on rod 86 and bosses I26--I26 are of the same shape and pitch whereby to cause relative movement between carrier member I22 and rod 86 longitudinally of rod 86 when relative rotating movement is imparted to these members.

Formed on the face of plate I24 opposite that on which are disposed bosses I26-I26 is a laterally and substantially perpendicularly extending flange I36 having a widened portion I32 formed integral therewith. Widened portion I32 has an aperture I34 formed therein which extends in a direction transverse with respect to the length of plate I24. There is positioned in aperture ltd a pin I36 which attaches load rest 26 to the carrier member I 22.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 7, it will be seen that the load rest 26 is substantially G- shaped when viewed from the side and substantially Ushaped in cross section as may be best seen in Figure 9. Load rest 26 includes a pair of side members I38 and I40 which are disposed substantially in parallelism and which are connected by a bight portion I42. The side members 7 I 38l 40 have aligned apertures formed therein which receive pin I36 whereby to attach load rest 26 to carrier member I22.

Portion I42 is substantially straight in horizontal cross section and substantially C-shaped in vertical cross section. The extreme upper end 144 of portion M2 is slightly curved in vertical section whereby to conform to the shape of an associated bumper I46. The lower end of portion I42 is turned sharply upwardly whereby to form a retaining portion I48. The central portion I59 joining portions I44 and I48 is recessed rearwardly, i. e., toward the threaded rod 36 and away from the portions I l l-I 4B. The lower side of the bumper M8 is adapted to be received at the point of juncture I52 of retaining portion I48 and the central portion I50. As can be best seen in Figure '7, the distance between point I54 (the point of juncture between portion Iii-i and portion i553) and point I52 is greater than the distance between point I54 and the outer edge I58 of retaining portion I48. This construction insures that the bumper M6 will be grasped by the load rest at all times. In addition, two-point contact is made with the bumper at all times, namely, at points I52 and I54 whereby to provide a steady and positive support for bumper me during the lifting and lowering operations. In order further to insure a clockwise rotation of the load rest 26 as viewed in Fig. '2, hence a secure two-point contact, it should be noted that the aligned apertures receiving the pivot pin I36 positioned well above the lower bumper sup-- port point 54, and in fact about halfway between points I52 and I54 and above the rearmost extending portion of the web or bight portion I58 of the load rest 26. This structure also presents the rearmost portion of the bight portion I56 as stop member which is adapted to engage the flange I30 on a carrier member I22! to limit the pivotal movement or rotation of the load rest to prevent the bumper from slipping off of the load rest.

Referring to Figures 1. and 9, it will be seen that the edge of abutting portion E45 contacting bumper MB is smooth whereby to eliminate the possibility of scarring the finish on the surface of bumper I 48 which abuts portion I44. Retaining portion I 43 is preferably rounded to give greater strength thereto. A preferred material for construction for the load rest 26 is malleable cast iron but other suitable materials can be used.

There is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure the manner in which the improved load rest operates when lifting a vehicle by the bumper, the brakes of the vehicle being looked, as is the case when the vehicle is on an inclined surface. There is shown in solid lines the relative positions of the bumper I 46 the load rest the remainder of the jack 2!! in the lowered position. It will noted that both of the feet as and 55 are positioned on the supporting surface I58 and two-point contact is made between the load rest 26 and the bumper I45.

As handle H4 is turned the carrier member I22 advances upwardly along the threaded rod 86 and since threaded rod 8b is inclined with re spect to the vertical away from bumper I43, carrier member I22 and load rest 26 which is attached thereto will travel upwardly and away from the original position of bumper M5. Similarly, the bumper I46 as it is raised will rotate about a point adjacent the set of wheels contacting the supporting surface I58 along the are designated by the numeral I60 and will in ef-- fect move upwardly and away from the original position of the load rest 26. Accordingly, if contact is to be maintained between load rest 26 and bumper I46, the jack 20 must tilt to the position shown in dotted lines. It will be noted that the load rest 26 must rotate or pivot with respect to the carrier member I22 if two-point contact is to be maintained between load rest 26 and bumper I46 as the bumper I46 is lifted. If load rest 25 was not pivotally mounted upon carrier member I22, the two-point contact between load rest 26 and bumper I48 would not be maintained and instead a one-point contact condition would be attained which is inherently unstable as compared with the two-point contact condition. It is also to be noted that the broad forward foot 54 forms a good basis of support for the jack when it is in the tilted position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 10.

Referring specifically to Figure 9, an important advantage of the structure of carrier member I22 will be explained. As a load is lifted by the load rest 26, a force will be applied to the jack, this force being directed substantially downwardly and rearwardly toward leg 24. The laterally extending rear edges I52 and IE4 of plate I24 bear against the outwardly extending edges of the flange members 3-'J32 of strut 22. As a result the greater portion of the load is transmitted from the load rest to carrier member i22 and then to the strut member 22 whereby to relieve the load on the relatively small threaded rod 86. By means of this construction, a smaller diameter and therefore less expensive rod 8'6 can be utilized to lift a given load.

There is shown in Figure 12 a three-legged jack embodying the principles of the present invention. This jack includes a pair of rearwardly disposed legs I66 and I68 which are substantially L-shaped in cross section. The upper ends of legs MiG-4B8 are pivoted to a strut member I19 as at I12 and the legs ISIS-I68 and the strut member He are interconnected by means of flexible extension limiting means I", a preferred example of such a limiting means being a chain. The lower ends of the legs lite-I52 and strut I10 are provided with feet I76 and I18.

Mounted in strut member I10 is a threaded rod I whose structure and function is substantially the same as that of rod 86. Attached to the upper end of rod I83 is an operator I82 including a crank I84 and rotatable handle I86. The structure of crank IE4 is substantially the same as the structure of the corresponding member in Figures 1 through 11. Handle I86 is preferablyin the form of a circular knob which is rotatably attached to the outwardly extending end of crank I 34.

Mounted on rod It!) for relative movement.

therealong is a carrier member I22 on which is disposed a load rest 25. Carrier member I22 and load rest 26 function in substantially the same manner as do the corresponding parts in Figures 1 through 11.

'l'l'iereis shown in Figures 13 through 16, an improved manner of attaching the foot 54 to its associated strut member; there is also shown a modified form of strut member and a load lifting member adapted to cooperate with this modified form of strut member. The cross sectional form of the modified strut member I88 is best seen in Figure 15. It will be noted that member I88 includes a rear wall I90 having a pair of side walls I92 and Q94 which are angularly disposed therewith. Walls I92 and I94 diverge away from each other and are provided on the outer extremities thereof with in turned flanges I96 and I98. Flanges I96 and I98 lie substantially at a right angle with their respective walls and provide inwardly directed faces 200 and 202.

The front foot 54 receives the lower end of strut member I88 between its front wall 64 and its rear wall 204 and is welded thereto. The front wall 64 is provided with an inwardly directed flange 206 which is positioned between the inwardly directed edges of flanges I96 and I98. A pair of inwardly directed flanges 20B and 2H) are disposed on the upper edge of wall 64 and outwardly with respect to the flanges I96 and I98. It will be seen from Figure 15 that flanges 208 and 2m in cooperation with flange 2B6 prohibits lateral displacement of strut member IBB with respect to the front foot 54.

Bracket 96 rests upon pin 45 and is held thereagainst by means of the inwardly turned flange 206 formed on the front wall 64 of foot 54. Rei 220 are threaded to receive rod 86 for movement longitudinally thereof when these members are rotated relative to each other. A space 222 is provided between bosses Us and 220, this space permitting discharge of grease and dirt and also permitting the bosses 2I8 and 220 to be bored and threaded.

Referring to Figure 16, it will be seen that the upper boss 2| 8 is provided with a pair of outwardly direct abutment portions 224 and 226 having bearing surfaces 223 and 230 formed thereon respectively. When a load is placed upon the load support 2H5 there is a tendency for the entire load support member 2|2 to be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 14. Boss 220 bears against the rear wall I90 of strut member I88 and boss '2I8 tends to be rotated away from and out of contact with the strut member I38. When this action occurs, the bearing surfaces 228 and 230 move into contact with the faces 2!!!) and 202 formed on the strut member I38. Contact between these surfaces limits the amount of rotation of the load support member 2I2 and thereby limits the stress and strain imposed upon the threaded rod 88.

There has been provided a jack which fulfills all of the above objects and advantages. More particularly, there has been provided in a multi-legged bumper jack an improved operating handle structure and an improved load rest and load lifting structure. Although certain preferred examples of the invention have been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing,

from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only as set forth in the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In an auto obile liftin Ja k inc udin a rotatably mounted threaded rod and a carrier member threadedly mounted upon said rod for movement therealong, a substantially C-shaped relatively thin metal load rest having a substantially uniform cross sectional thickness and including a pair of substantially parallel sides joined by bight portions along the inner edge of the C, means pivotally connecting said C-shaped load rest to the carrier member, an abutment member provided by a bight portion adjacent the upper end C-shaped load rest for engaging a bumper, and a retaining member provided by the lower edge of a bight portion projecting upwardly and outwardly to provide a bumper engaging and supporting portion.

2. In a lifting jack including a rotatably mounted threaded rod and a carrier member threadedly mounted upon said rod for movement therealong, a substantially C-shaped relatively thin metal load rest having a, substantially uniform cross sectional thickness and including a pair of substantially parallel sides joined by bight portions along the inner edge of the '6, said sides having aligned apertures therein, a pin passing through said apertures and an aperture in the carrier member for pivotally mounting the load rest on the carrier member, an abutment member provided by a bight portion adjacent the upper end C-shaped load rest for engaging a bumper, a retaining member provided by the lower end of a bight portion and projecting upwardly and outwardly to provide a bumper engaging and supporting portion, the outer edge of said retaining member being disposed nearer said abutment member than the point of juncture between the bight portion and said retaining memher, and means on said bight portion engageable with said carrier member to limit the pivotal movement of said load rest whereby to insure that the associated bumper is held by said retaining member to provide two-point contact between said load rest and the associated bumper.

3. In a jack including a lifting mechanism, a substantially C-shaped relatively thin metal load rest including a pair of substantially parallel sides and a bight portion interconnecting said sides along the entire inner edges thereof, said sides having aligned apertures formed therein, a pin passing through said apertures and a lifting member for pivotally mounting said load rest on a lifting member, an abutment member formed on said bight portion adjacent the upper end thereof for engaging a bumper, and an upwardly and outwardly projecting retaining member formed on said bight portion on the lower edge thereof to provide a bumper engaging and supporting portion.

4. In a jack including a lifting mechanism, a substantially C-shaped relatively thin metal load rest including a pair of substantially parallel sides and a bight portion interconnecting said sides along the inner edges thereof, said sides having aligned apertures formed therein, a pin passing through said apertures and a lifting member for pivotally mounting said load rest on a lifting member, an abutment member formed on said bight portion adjacent the upper end thereof for engaging a bumper, and an upwardly and outwardly projecting retaining member formed on said bight portion on the lower edge byte insure that an associated bumper has twopoint contact with said load rest in all positions of the load lifting mechanism, said aligned apertures being disposed above a rearmost extending portion of said bight portion so that said rearmost portion may engage the lifting member to limit the pivotal movement of the load rest.

5. A load lifting jack comprising a substantially U-shaped strut member, a bracket member attached to the upper end of said U-shaped strut member, said bracket encircling said strut member at the upper end thereof and extending downwardly therefrom with a slot aligned with the open ya load rest pivotallyrnounted on said carrier member.

6. A load lifting jack comprising a substantially U-shaped strut member, a bracket member attached to the upper end of said U-shaped strut member, said bracket encircling said strut member at the upper end thereof and extending downwardly therefrom with a slot aligned with the open end of the U, a leg pivotally attached to said bracket near the bottom thereof for supporting said U-shaped strut member in operative position inclined from the vertical, a bearing member mounted on said bracket member at the top thereof, a threaded rod positioned in said U-shaped strut member and supported by said bearing member, a carrier member threadedly mounted on said rod for movement therealong longitudinally thereof when said rod is rotated, a load rest pivotally mounted on said carrier member, the upper end of said rod extending through said bearing and above the upper end of said bracket member, and an operating member mounted on the upwardly extending and of said rod for rotating said rod, said operating member bearing against only said rod and parts immovably connected thereto.

, 'I. In a lifting jack including an upstanding elongated channel strut member, a foot member substantially channel shaped and providing front and rear walls, the lower end of the strut member being disposed between said front and rear walls and substantially in contact therewith, portions of said walls being deformed inwardly along opposed side surfaces of said channel strut member to provide means preventing lateral displacethrough said strut adjacent the lower end thereof,

a brace pivoted on said pin for holding the lower end of said leg spaced from said strut, a bearing at the upper end of said strut,.a threaded rod journaled in said bearing and mounted within said-strut, a load lifting member threaded on saidrod, means for rotating said rod to move said load lifting member substantially vertically, a member in said strut and rotatably receiving the lower end of said rod and resting on said pin, and a foot member on the lower end of said strut, said foot member having a portion extending into the channel of said strut to retain said foot member on said strut and to trap the member rotatably receiving the lower end of the rod.

9. A lifting jack, including an elongated channel-shaped strut, a bearing adjacent the upper end of said strut, a threaded rod journaled in said heating and disposed within said channel-shaped strut, a load lifting member threaded on said rod, means for rotating said rod to move said load lifting member along said rod, a member disposed within said strut adjacent the lower end thereof and rotatably receiving and retaining a lower portion of said rod, a support member disposed within said channel-shaped strut beneath said rod receiving member for supporting said rod receiving member, and a foot member disposed on the lower end of said strut, said foot member having a portion extending into said channel above said rod receiving member to retain said foot member on said strut and to retain said rod receiving member against upward longitudinal movement within said channel-shaped strut.

10. A load lifting jack, comprising a generally channel-shaped strut, a bracket attached to an upper end portion of said channel-shaped strut, said bracket enclosing an upper end portion of said strut and extending downwardly therefrom with a slot aligned with an open side of said channel-shaped strut, a leg pivotally attached to said bracket at a. point adjacent the lower end of said bracket for supporting said channel-shaped strut in an operative position, securing means above said leg for securing said bracket to said channelshapecl strut, a bearing member mounted on said bracket at the upper end thereof and overlying the upper end of the strut, a threaded rod positioned in said channel-shaped strut and supported by said bearing member, and a load lifting member threadedly mounted on said rod for movement longitudinally thereof when said rod is rotated.

11. An automobile bumper jack comprising an elongated strut having a generally channelshaped cross section and opposed sides with relatively narrow forwardly exposed free edges bounding an elongated frontal opening, means for supporting the strut in a generally upstanding position, an elongated screw rotatably and pendantly mounted within said channel-shaped strut, means for rotating the screw, carrier means including a screw engaging portion disposed within said channel-shaped strut and threadedly engaging the screw, a plate-like portion carried by and extending in opposite directions from said screw engaging portion and overlying said free edges to cover said frontal opening. a load rest, means for pivotally mounting said load rest on said carrier means for movement about a horizontal axis, a bumper retaining member projecting upwardly and outwardly from the lower edge of said lead rest, and an abutment member formed adjacent the upper edge of the load rest so that said retaining member and abutment member provide twopoint contact with an automobile bumper being lifted.

bounding an elongated frontal opening, means for supporting the strut in a generally upstanding position, an elongated screw rotatably and pendantly mounted within said channel-shaped strut, carrier means including a screw engaging portion disposed within said channel-shaped strut and ti eadedly engaging the screw, a plate like portion carried by extending in opposite clirecticns from said screw engaging portion and overlying said free edges to cover frontal opening, a substantial C-chaped load rest including a pair of substantially parallel sides and a bight portion interconnecting said side" along substantially the on e .ner edges thereof, and said carhieans having aligned apertures, pin me disposer d apertures for pivots-11y mounting t on the carrier an abutment armed. from night ortion adjacent t e l end thereof for a bumper and upwardly and outwardly projecting bumper eng- 41 and retaining member formed from said bigl portion adjacent the lower edge thereof.

13. An automobile lifting jack, comprising an elongated strut having a generally channelshaped cross section, an elongated screw rod having a relatively small diameter disposed longitudinally within said strut, bearing means for rotatably and pendantly supporting said screw rod adjacent an upper end thereof with the lower end of said screw rod free for lateral movement relative to said strut, load lifting means having a nut portion disposed within said channelshaped strut and threadedly receiving said screw rod, said nut portion having outer transverse dimensions less than internal transverse dimensions of said channel-shaped strut so that said nut portion is movable laterally relative to the channel-shaped strut in all directions, a screw rod retaining member rigidly mounted within said channel-shaped strut adjacent its lower end, said screw rod retaining member having an aperture therein receiving and encircling the lower threaded end of said screw rod, said lower end of the screw rod being free of any axial support, said aperture having a diameter sufficiently large with respect to the screw rod to permit slight lateral movement of the lower end of said screw rod in all directions relative to said strut, and actuating means connected with an upper end portion of said screw rod for rotating the screw rod.

14. An automobile bumper jack, comprising an elongated strut having a generally channelshaped cross section and opposed side Walls with forwardly exposed free edges bounding an elongated frontal opening, means for supporting said strut in a generally upstanding position, an elongated screw rotatably and pendantly mounted within said channel-shaped strut, carrier means having axially spaced apart nut portions disposed within said channel-shaped strut and threadedly receiving the screw, said nut portions having exterior transverse dimensions less than the interior transverse dimensions of the channel-shaped strut so that said nut portions are movable laterally within said strut, said carrier means including an elongated plate member disposed for engagement with said forwardly exposed edges of said channel-shaped strut, a bumper engaging member on said carrier means, and means for rotating said screw to move said carrier means along said channel-shaped strut.

MILLARD B. LUCKER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 146,182 Howard Jan. 6, 1874 251,415 Crecelius Dec. 27, 1881 1,176,751 Hardy et a1 Mar. 28, 1916 1,424,952 Townsend Aug. 8, 1922 1,474,428 Bain Nov. 20, 1923 2,043,479 Greiman June 9, 1936 2,125,493 Foster Aug. 2, 1933 2,230,534 Elmer et a1. Feb. 4, 1941 2,259,789 Akins Oct. 21, 1941 2,274,794 Kitchen Mar. 3, 1942 2,505,187 Juergens Apr. 25, 1950 2,539,897 Davey et a1 Jan. 30, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 404,650 Germany Oct. 22, 1924 637,310 France Jan. 28, 1928 

